Friday, May 21, 2010

Extradition halted for now - UK hacker with Asperger's to stay in Britain

From The AP:


LONDON — Britain's Home Office says a man wanted in the U.S. for allegedly hacking into American military computers can stay in the U.K. for now because the new home secretary has agreed to grant more time to consider the case.

The High Court adjourned the case of Gary McKinnon's (pictured) extradition May 20 after Home Office chief Theresa May approved a pause in court proceedings.

McKinnon is accused by U.S. prosecutors of hacking into computers shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

His legal team has fought his extradition for years, saying he suffers from a form of autism and that extraditing him would be a breach of his human rights.

Lawyer Karen Todner said she hoped May will stop the extradition now that she has more time to consider up-to-date evidence.